9 months in - Advice!
 

We are almost 9 months in, so still new at this whole life change! We're really up and down (and have been since we arrived!) We're a family of 3, our son is almost 15 - he appears to be settling well actually, he struggled a lot in the beginning, but is now making friends and enjoying the different activities that NZ has to offer.


However, my husband and I (51 and 45 respectively) aren't as settled. We love the country and what it has to offer, but are struggling with the lack of health care, the lack of annual leave and sick cover. My husband is working a lot more hours for a lot less money. And as we're getting older, we're considering the "what if" we need time off work due to ill health - how do we manage financially? - if anyone has any suggestions regarding how people cope I would love to hear from you. This is a big concern for us, and a definite driver for returning to the UK, but we don't want to regret returning and wishing we'd stayed, as we couldn't afford to Ping-Pong between countries.

Sorry if this all sounds glum, but this is a repeating conversation/concern in our house.


Thanks in advance.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

What do you both do for jobs
I've had two or three in my 9 years in nz and all have had sick leave and A/L
I currently have just short of 60 days A/L which is growing all the time and far more than my UK job gave me.
acc will cover most accident related losses and even when I lived in the UK
sick leave was limited to x amount of days per year and nz is no different to that.
It looks like you are simply fishing for an excuse to justify going home
because no one goes back because they don't have enough sick leave...

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

UK minimum sick leave is 10 days ... NZ is 5days.

ACC only covers accidents ... not illness.

Statutory sick pay in the UK £88 for 28 weeks ... There's no statutory sick pay in NZ.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Hi Justcol

I am an AOD clinician and my husband works on a car yard, though in the UK was a health physicist. My visa type states that I am tied to the employer who gave me the job, certainly for the first 3 years at least.

You are fortunate to have so much leave, is this something you would have accrued over time, or are you lucky enough to have this as part of your job?
As the other reply states, the U.K. sick leave is very different from NZ, and acc doesn't cover illness, which I am aware of due to a colleague struggling whilst absent from work whilst recovering from an operation.

I am not "simply fishing for an excuse to justify going home". I don't need an excuse, if we wish to return we will. The reason for returning won't be due to sick leave, it's about being able to survive financially in gorgeous NZ, but thank you for your comments.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

The experts say to give it 18months or so, but for some thats not an option, financially/emotionally etc.

I would say the quicker you make a decision the better, financially and emotionally.
As I said in the other thread, been here just over 5 years and its still difficult for me, there's just something out of whack or missing here for me personally.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

We're trying to take each day as it comes and looking forward to the summer. We're definitely committed to at least 12 months, we're also very aware of our son and the impact on his education with moving him around.
We have a lot of family here, so have plenty of support, I feel it will ultimately come down to whether we can manage financially. So far though, the work life balance has deteriorated which is a shame.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

"Working a lot more hours for a lot less money" . . . perhaps there is your answer, moreso than any concerns about sick leave.

One thing to be careful of - make sure you have emergency funds set aside, so that if you do decide to go back to the UK, you can afford to do so. Many expats fall into the trap of giving it more time only to see their savings depleted and find they can't afford to go back to the UK.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Thanks carcajou, fortunately we are able to afford to return to the UK if that's what we choose. We just don't want to make any rash decisions, giving ourselves a little more time and will hopefully make the right decision either way.
We are looking at solutions to the problems we're experiencing, whether these are realistic and do-able remains to be seen.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

I assume you are here on a temporary class work visa - maybe Essential Skills or Accredited Employer etc and your husband is also on a similar temporary visa as a Partner of a Temporary Work Visa holder ?


Yes your visa is only approved on the basis you keep that job with those responsibilities and with that company, but you can change. If you did get a better offer you could approach Immigration to consider if any new job still qualified you for this type or a different type of visa. If it did and you wanted to go ahead with any job move then Immigration would re-issue the work visa with different conditions then tieing you to the new job/responsibilities/employer.
If hubby on a partnership visa he can do whatever he wants and isn't tied to any employer so if his job is making him unhappy then he could change without any Immigration issues.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Yes I'm on the temporary work visa, and my husband's piggy-backs this. We have looked into visa changes, which are doable - however working in the addictions field, it seems the t&cs are similar throughout. Many of my colleagues have moved around and through a number of the employers.
With regards my husband - again we are aware that he can change his job which is fortunate. His skill set is very unique (nuclear industry) and not easily found in NZ. We are trying all avenues to address the problems we are experiencing, and we're not giving up without trying to find solutions.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

What exactly - nuclear power or more the radioactive path ?

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

That has to be an understatement but you would have known that before coming out so what are his transferable skills like? Focus on those.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

He is a health physicist by trade, so primarily nuclear licensed facilities, but worked for and in areas that are being decommissioned and have had radiological materials. I'm sure it's a lot more complex than I've described, but that's kind of the gist.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

We were aware that there are no nuclear facilities here, hence getting here on my qualifications and job offer. We have approached lab type facilities that use radiological isotopes, but it's all in the qualifications rather than the experience that their interested in, and at 51 he's not really up for retraining. We are constantly looking at alternative employment for him, which he's open to, so will see how it goes.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

So if I understand this correctly, you are afraid of staying here in case you get sick?

Income protection insurance will set you back approx $10/week.

Or you could get one of these.

https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1NxGZX...r-presonal.jpg

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Many thanks, will definitely look at the links

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Catcha is lovely . A very innovative fella who, together with his wife and children have really settled well and made an enjoyable life for themselves a few hours from me here in NZ

So is Justcol in his own way. He has been through the mill a bit and come out the other side. He likes to play tough. Just send him big kissies or waggle like this at him. Attachment 128614

Both know it is not all plain sailing. Both have made good lives here.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

I can understand your concerns and empathise fully as I felt exactly the same way. We were more or less the same age as you when we moved to NZ and I think at that age you do start thinking more about the later years, possible health issues, retirement income etc. I knew within the first few months that NZ was not right for me although my husband was much happier there. We very nearly headed back to UK after a few months but decided to stick it out and try harder to settle for the sake of our son who we felt would have a better future in NZ. As it turns out we stayed for twelve years and those first few years caused some major stress and mental health issues. We are back in UK now and I can honestly say that I wish we had returned when we first thought about it all those years ago as I feel so much time has been wasted worrying and wondering what if..and missing the diversity that UK offers. NZ is a truly beautiful country and it was an experience but I think if it's just beautiful scenery you want, live back in the UK where you can earn a decent living and feel some kind of financial and social security, and maybe take more holidays in Europe...that is our intention.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Thank you for your response. We are taking each day as it comes, looking into possible solutions to our problems and will see how we feel in the coming months.
It's such an expensive move that we want to give it our best and try to make the right decision for us all, but I totally hear what you're saying. We've had the exact same conversation! 😬

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

A mate of mine and his Mrs work for a company (MSD or Merck Sharpe & Dohme) in Upper Hutt, Wellington that utilizes radioactive rods in an equipment sterilization facility. The rods are held in a tank of water, as you'd expect and lifted out to frazzle the life out of anything when equipment to be sterilized passes through.....what could possibly go wrong aye!!! :eek:
Mates Mrs is the one who got the big job there that brought them over to NZ. My mate is working there temporary while he's doing a PhD at Wellington Uni.
Apparently great pay and great t's&c's and they've absolutely bent over backwards and sideways to help them out. Gave my mate a temporary job on decent pay when he was looking for work during his Uni studies and agreed flexible working as they have 3 kids plus huge pay rise to keep her from going to Fonterra yada yada.
May be an option ?

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Thanks for this info! It's really helpful and definitely a positive to look into. We will check out the company and see whether hubby has anything to offer them! Fingers crossed! 👍🏼😄

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Try the pulpmills here as they use radiation-based level gauges. Every worker and contractor needs training when first on-site. Now I see why you're worried about sick leave!

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Awesome thanks, we’ll definitely look into this!
And at least by glowing in the dark we save on electric bills! 😂

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

No Statutory Sick Pay ? What do people do for income when they get sick ?

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Probably the same as in Australia, apply for a new credit card, beg off your friends, if you have any, and go hungry.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Time for you guys to read up on the Welfare State. Bismarck had the idea and it was pinched by Lloyd George. The 1945 Pommy Labour Government did a lot. Time for you guys to catch up !

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Absolutely! I just don’t understand the lack of investment in people!

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

This explains it.

Use holiday time . Borrow from the following year. Unpaid leave. Use savings , take a loan or borrow somehow.

The recommendation is that one has the equivalent of 3 months income stashed for such times.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

NZ did have a pretty good welfare system in years gone by, but various Governments have implemented radical 'reforms' and managed to cut large chunks out of that: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_of_all_Budgets

NZ is pretty hard-ass and people are resentful of providing help for the poor or the sick folks that have fallen on hard times.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Not in any place I've ever lived in NZ.
The Brits and kiwis I know down here are the friendliest, most helpful, generous
and caring people I have ever known.

Maybe some folk are just mixing with the wrong people...!!

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Yep NZ is further right-wing than Europe, more self-reliance and less of a fluffy nanny-state is the cultural approach.

Of course if everyone wanted a nanny-state we could have stayed in Europe - nothing wrong with my reading I can assure you.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Its not quite so bad. Employees are entitled to at least 5 days paid sick leave per year. Sometimes more, depending on the employer and the contract. Theres also ACC entitlements for injuries etc. If you pull a muscle in your back that stops you working, you will receive, I think, about 80% of your pay while youre off.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Thats partly the point though, ACC covers accidental injuries, not all-encompassing illness. At least the ACC approach keeps car insurance premiums under control.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Trying to stash enough money to cover 3 months income should we be unable to work, is a big ask. I can't imagine this is achievable by many people unfortunately.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

I think it needs to be, there is a large segment of the population that feels entitled and would take the mickey. Personally I think the British system is a joke and there are far too many abusers, they need to clamp down.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

I agree that there are many who abuse the British system, but then there will always be abusers of any system. I think it is far better to have a system that helps those who genuinely need it, and accept the abusers that arent caught, than to have no system at all.

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Disagree strongly. You pay a few bucks a week for insurance if you're worried about this. Peeps more chilled out here so it suits some, others get insurance

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

You are right to be concerned about healthcare!

Our experience was farcical, we were sold a lifestyle block contaminated with Arsenic and God knows what else, the effects on our lives were dreadful. See
<snip> for full details but briefly I was first diagnosed with a serious heart condition - lack of breath and chest pains - it took four years of agony before they found I had serious reflux - Barratt's disease! The arsenic affected my vision - bubbles formed in the lenses giving cataract type loss of sight - no treatment available except private lens replacement - $30,000! Been back in UK 6 months - my surgery on NHS is next week! Our son was chronically fatigued, they gave him lots of anti depressants - he is now fighting the addiction caused and being treated for the real cause!

Overall, NZ health care is very expensive and apart from some private facilities of low quality, the GP's moan about cost restrictions on drugs and treatment, they do their best but their hands are tied financially.

It also sounds like your employers are cashing in on your experience and not paying you a decent wage, living costs in NZ are wild compared to UK so it must be a massive downgrade in lifestyle!

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

Not an everyday occurrence in the lives of 99.999% of people here.

First thoughts were buyer beware and due diligence.

Glad you got treatment you're happy with

Re: 9 months in - Advice!
 

I can see why people moving over would be concerned. In the UK we do have a generous sick pay system. Even so, we have always paid for income protection, just in case we become very poorly. Thankfully we haven't needed it.

Do many people take out income protection in NZ? As we won't have any support network when we get arrive, I think if we can afford it we will take it out.

Your comments have been interesting to read, thanks for sharing.